US appoints another Pakistani to key administrative position

The US government has appointed another Pakistani-American Dr Asif Mehmood, as a member of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

His name was suggested by the US House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries. Mehmood is a second Pakistani who was deployed at a key post in any US administration.

Earlier, the Biden administration had appointed Khizar Khan, who served in commission from August 2021 to May 2022.

A statement issued by the USCIRF stated, “Asif Mehmood is a practising physician, human rights activist, interracial and community organiser, and Philanthropist.”

“Mahmood also served for the Democratic National Convention from 2008 to 2016 and is currently performing duty as a chairperson of the Organisation for Social Media Safety (OFSSMS) and Board Member of Hope the Mission, one of the largest homeless shelters in California,” it added.

The US Commission is an independent government agency that issues policy guidelines and also serves as a watchdog.

Mehmood, hailing from Pakistan’s Punjab, graduated from Sindh Medical College (SMC) Karachi and moved to California in 1999. 

He also serves on the medical board in the US. Dr Asif is also respected for not asking for payment from those who don’t have health insurance.

Dr Asif Mehmood is the only Pakistani-American who testified before the Congress that Kashmiris are not alone, and Pakistan is still standing with them.